Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2884666 2017-03-22
CONTAINER WITH SCORE LINES
10001]
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
(0003] The present disclosure relates to blanks, containers, trays,
constructs, and various features
to facilitate formina a container from a blank.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a container
for holding an article.
The container comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a
base layer, a bottom
wall, and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side wall cooperate to at least
partially define a
cavity of the container with the lamination layer at least partially
comprising an interior surface
of the container adjacent the cavity. A plurality of score lines extend in the
container for at least
partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the
container.
[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank
for forming a container
for holding an article. The blank comprises a lamination layer at least
partially secured to a base
layer, a bottom portion, and a marginal portion. The bottom portion and the
marginal portion are
for cooperating to at least partially define a cavity of the containcr formed
from the blank. The
lamination layer is for at least partially forming an interior surface of the
container formed from
the blank. A plurality of score lines extend in the blank for at least
partially reducing buckling of
the lamination layer into the cavity of the container formed from the blank.
1
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method
of forming a container.
The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a lamination layer at least
partially secured
to a base layer and a plurality of score lines. The inethod further comprises
forming the container
comprising a bottom wall and a side wall from the blank. The forming the
container comprises
forming a cavity at least partially defined by the bottom wall and the side
wall. The lamination
layer comprises an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity.
During the forming the
container, the plurality of score lines at least partially reduces buckling of
the lamination layer
into the cavity of the container.
[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages
and other advantages
and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed
description of the
embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings
discussed below are
not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in
the drawings may
be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0009] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container
according to a first
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0010] Fig. lA is a partial cross-sectional view of a marginal portion of
the blank of Fig. 1.
[0011] Fig. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of a bottom corner area of
the blank of Fig. 1.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank
of Fig. 1 according to
the first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of the container of Fig. 2.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the container of Fig. 2.
[0015] Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic views of an exemplary forming tool for
forming a
container according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container
according to a second
embodiment of the disclosure.
2
CA 2884666 2017-03-22
100171 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank
of Fig. 6 according to
the second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective top view of the container of Fig. 7.
100191 Fig. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the container of Fig. 7.
[0020] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference
numbers throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present disclosure relates generally to various aspects of
containers, constructs, trays,
materials, packages, elements, and articles, and methods of making such
containers, constructs,
trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles. Although several different
aspects,
implementations, and embodiments are disclosed, numerous interrelationships
between,
combinations thereof, and modifications of the various aspects,
implementations, and
embodiments are contemplated hereby. In one illustrated embodiment, the
present disclosure
relates to forming a container or tray for holding food items or various other
articles. However,
in other embodiments, the container or tray can be used to form other non-food
containing
articles or may be used for heating or cooking.
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a blank 3 that is used to form a container 5
(Figs. 2-4) having a flange 7
according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated
embodiment, the blank 3 has
generally straight side edges and semicircular or arc-shaped end edges. The
blank 3 is for being
press formed into the container 5 that, in the illustrated embodiment, is a
tray with a generally
straight side, a concave side, and convex ends. It is understood that the
blank 3 can be press- formed
into the container 5 by a forming tool T (shown schematically in Figs. 5A and
5B by way of
example), which can be similar to and have similar features and/or components
as conventional
forming tools such as are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0109653. Also,
the forming tool can have similar features and components such as the forming
tool disclosed in
International Publication No. WO 2008/049048, or any other suitable forming
tool assembly. Also,
the blank 3 and the container 5 could be alternatively shaped (e.g., circular,
oval, rectangular,
irregular, etc.) without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The
blank 3 of the present
3
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
disclosure has features that help reduce, prevent, or eliminate delamination
and/or buckling of a
lamination material in an interior of the container 5 made from the blank at a
bottom corner area
9 of the container.
[0023] The
blank 3 can be formed from a laminate that includes more than one layer, but
alternatively the laminate can be replaced with a single ply of material, such
as, but not limited
to, paperboard, cardboard, paper, or a polymeric sheet. In accordance with the
exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure, the laminate can include a lamination
layer 8, which can
be a microwave interactive layer such as is common in MicroRite containers
available from
Graphic Packaging International of Marietta, GA. The lamination layer can be
commonly
referred to as, or can have as one of its components, a foil, a microwave
shield, or any other term
or component that refers to a layer of material suitable for shielding
microwave energy and/or
causing heating in a microwave oven. Alternatively, the lamination layer 8 can
be any suitable
material that is laminated onto a substrate. The lamination layer 8 comprises
the inner/interior
surface 12 of the blank 3 (Figs. 1 and 1A). In the illustrated embodiment, the
blank 3 has a
substrate or base layer 14 forming an outer/exterior surface 16 (Fig. 1A) of
the blank 3. The
lamination layer 8 is supported by, and secured to (e.g., laminated on), the
base layer 14, which
can be in the form of paperboard, cardboard, polymer, or any other suitable
material.
Nonetheless and in accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the base layer
14 typically is an
uncoated paperboard. The lamination layer 8 can be other suitable microwave
interactive
materials set forth below, or any other suitable material.
[0024] As
shown in Fig. 1, the blank 3 has a longitudinal direction Ll and a lateral
direction L2,
wherein a longitudinal centerline CL of the blank 3 is generally parallel to
the longitudinal
direction L1, and a transverse centerline CT of the blank is generally
parallel to the lateral
direction L2. The blank 3 has a central portion 11, an outer edge 13, and a
marginal portion 15
between the outer edge 13 and the central portion 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the
bottom corner area
9 forms a transition area between the bottom portion 11 and the marginal
portion 15. In addition,
the blank 3 can include a first side region 21, a second side region 23, and
two end regions 25.
[0025] In one
embodiment, the marginal portion 15 of the blank 3 includes a plurality of
score
lines 19. The score lines 19 are all positioned in the marginal portion 15 in
the end regions 25
such that the score lines extend generally radially from the outer edge 13 of
the blank. In one
embodiment, adjacent score lines 19 in respective curved regions 27 (e.g.,
where the outer edge
13 is generally curved) can be spaced apart by an angle Al of at least
approximately 5 degrees.
4
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
Alternatively, the angle Al could be any suitable angle. In respective
straight portions 29 (e.g.,
where the outer edge 13 is generally straight), the score lines 19 are
generally parallel. In one
embodiment, the score lines 19 extend to the outer edge 13 of the blank 3, but
the score lines
could have a radially outer end point that is spaced in from the outer edge of
the blank without
departing from the disclosure. Also, in one embodiment, the score lines 19 are
formed on the
interior surface 12 such the score lines 19 comprise slight indentations in
the interior surface 12
of the blank on the surface of the lamination layer 8 and slight protrusions
on the exterior surface
16 of the blank on the outer surface of the base layer 14. The score lines 19
could be omitted or
could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from
the disclosure.
100261 In the
illustrated embodiment, a plurality of score lines 30 can be included in the
bottom
corner area 9 of the blank 3 for helping to reduce delamination of the
lamination layer 8 from the
base layer 14. The plurality of score lines 30 can include first side score
lines 33 extending
adjacent the first side region 21, second side score lines 35 extending
adjacent the second side
region 23, and end score lines 37 extending adjacent each of the end regions
25. In one
embodiment, as schematically shown in Fig. 1B, the score lines 30 are formed
on the interior
surface 12 such that the score lines 30 comprise slight indentations, slots,
or grooves in the
interior surface 12 of the blank and slight protrusions on the exterior
surface 16 of the blank. In
the illustrated embodiment, the first side score lines 33 are generally
straight and generally
parallel to the longitudinal centerline CL, and the end score lines 37 are
generally straight and
generally parallel to the transverse centerline CT. As shown in Fig. 1, the
second side score lines
35 are curved so that the respective ends of the individual score lines are
farther from the
longitudinal centerline CL and the first side region 21 than the respective
midpoints of the score
lines. The first and second side score lines 33, 35 can be generally centered
on the transverse
centerline CT, and the end score lines 37 can be generally centered on the
longitudinal centerline
CL. The score lines 30 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or
configured without departing from the disclosure.
[0027] In one
example, the paperboard base layer 14 of the blank 3 can comprise 18 point
paperboard having a thickness of approximately 0.018 inch (0.46 mm), and the
lamination layer 8
can have a thickness of approximately 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) so that the blank
3 has a total
thickness Tb of approximately 0.019 inch (0.48 mm). The thickness of a foil
within the
lamination layer 8 can be approximately 0.000275 inch (0.007 mm), for example.
In one
embodiment, the thickness of the paperboard base layer 14 can be in the range
of approximately
0.013 inch (0.33 mm) to approximately 0.030 inch (0.72 mm), the thickness of
the lamination
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
layer 8 can be in the range of approximately 0.0005 inch (0.013 mm) to
approximately 0.0015
inch (0.038 mm), and the total thickness Tb can be in the range of
approximately 0.0135 inch
(0.34 mm) to approximately 0.0315 inch (0.80 mm). Any of the above noted
thicknesses or other
dimensions noted above could be larger or smaller than noted or could be
inside or outside the
listed ranges without departing form the scope of the disclosure. All of the
dimensional
information presented herein is intended to be illustrative of certain aspects
of the disclosure and
is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as various other
embodiments of the
disclosure could include dimensions that are greater than or less than the
dimensions included
herein.
[0028] Figs.
2-4 show one embodiment of the disclosure comprising a container 5 formed from
the blank 3. The container 5 comprises a generally raised bottom wall 133, a
bottom corner 135
that connects the bottom wall to a side wall 137, an upper corner 139 that
connects the side wall
137 to the flange 7, and an outer edge 141. The bottom wall 133 generally is
formed from the
bottom portion 11 of the blank 3, the bottom corner 135 generally is formed
from the bottom
corner area 9 of the blank, and the side wall 137 and the flange 7 are formed
from the marginal
portion 15 of the blank. The outer radial edge 141 generally can correspond to
the outer edge 13
of the blank 3. The bottom wall 133 and side wall 137 at least partially
define an interior space
or cavity 145 of the container 5. The lamination layer 8 is on the
inner/interior surface 12 of the
container 5 and the base layer 14 is on the outer/exterior surface 16 of the
container. The
container 5 is for holding and/or cooking and/or heating a food product (not
shown) that is placed
in the interior space 145 of the container.
[0029] As
shown in Figs. 2-4, the flange extends outward from the side wall 137, and an
angled
upper corner 139 of the flange 7 can be oblique with respect to the side wall
137 and the
remainder of the flange 7. Alternatively, the upper comer 139 could be curved
or otherwise
formed or omitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 137 extends
generally upwardly
from the bottom corner 135 and the bottom wall 133, and the bottom corner 135
is curved so that
the lowest portion of the container 5 is located along the curve of the bottom
corner 135.
Accordingly, when the container 5 is placed upright on a surface, a portion of
the bottom corner
135 rests on the surface and the bottom wall 133 is spaced apart from the
surface.
[0030] As
shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the side wall 137, the flange 7, and the bottom comer
135
include the first side region 21 in which the side wall 137 and the outer edge
141 are generally
straight, the second side region 23 in which the side wall 137 and the outer
edge 141 are curved
6
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
toward the interior 145 of the container 5 (e.g., concave), and the end
regions 25 in which the
side wall 137 and the outer edge 141 form convex portions connected by a
generally straight
portion. The container 5 could have other shapes and/or dimensions without
departing from the
disclosure.
[0031] In the
illustrated embodiment, when the blank 3 is formed into the container 5, the
score
lines 19 form overlapped portions or pleats 31. In the illustrated embodiment,
the overlapped
portions 31 are in the flange 7 of the container and the side wall 137, and
extend down the side
wall to a location adjacent the bottom wall 133. The overlapped portions 31
could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
[0032] As
shown in Fig. 3, the plurality of score lines 30 generally are disposed in the
bottom
corner 135 and can help prevent the lamination layer 8 from separating from
the base layer 14
and extending into the interior 145 of the container 5. The first side score
lines 33 are generally
straight to correspond with the generally straight first side region 21 of the
side wall 137, the
second side score lines 35 are curved to correspond with the concave second
side region 23 of the
side wall, and the end score lines 37 are generally straight to correspond to
the generally straight
portions of the end regions 25 of the side wall. In an alternative embodiment,
the end scores 37
could be curved with curved portions of the end regions.
[0033] In one
embodiment, the lamination layer 8 can be generally more resistant to
compression ¨ especially compared to the paperboard base layer 14. Since the
lamination layer 8
is interior to the base layer 14, the material of the lamination layer 8 can
bunch up or buckle at
the bottom corner 135 and separate from the base layer 14. For example, micro-
layer
interactions between the lamination layer and the base layer can cause an
adhesive securing the
layers together to fail where the adhesive is weaker and/or absent (e.g., due
to uneven
application). If the scores 30 are omitted, the material of the lamination
layer 8 could separate
from the base layer 14 and extend into the interior 145 of the container 5.
The separated portions
of the lamination layer could be damaged by an eating utensil, for example,
and could be torn
away from the interior surface 12 and mix with a food item contained in the
container 5. While
the materials used in the lamination layer 8 typically are generally inert,
the damage to the
interior surface of the container 5 can reduce the visual appeal of the
container and food items (or
other items) contained therein. Additionally, the loose pieces of lamination
can cause concern
and/or affect the enjoyment of a food item (or other item) in the container by
a consumer.
7
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
[0034] The
scores 30 can help to prevent the lamination layer 8 from buckling into the
interior
145. As shown schematically in Fig. 1B, the scores 30 generally form grooves
in the interior
surface 12 of the container so that the lamination layer 8 is stretched
somewhat in the bottom
comer 135. Accordingly, the lamination layer is compressed into the grooves of
the scores 30
when the blank is pressed into the container, and the lamination layer is less
likely to delaminate
from the base layer 14. What portions of the lamination layer may separate
from the base layer
will still be disposed within the grooves of the scores 30, and therefore will
be compressed into
the curve of the bottom corner and at least partially protected from eating
utensils, for example,
by the grooves. Accordingly, any delaminated portions of the lamination layer
8 will be less
likely to be torn away from the container and mix with a food item (or other
item) in the
container. Accordingly, the delamination of the lamination layer 8 is reduced
and controlled to
help maintain the visual appeal and safety of the container and the food or
other items contained
in the container.
[0035] In one
embodiment, the blank 3 is formed into the container by conveying a blank and
placing the blank in the forming tool T (schematically shown in Figs. 5A and
5B by way of
example) with a lower tool assembly L and upper tool assembly U in a separated
or open
position. The forming tool T is used to press form the blank 3 into the
container 5 by moving the
tool assemblies L, U together, to a closed position (Fig. 5A, for example).
After press-forming
the container 5, the tool assemblies L, U can be separated (Fig. 5B, for
example) to release the
container S. When the flat blank 3 is pressed in the forming tool T, the
substrate 14 and
lamination layer 8 are compressed and formed into the three-dimensional
container 5. The score
lines 19 facilitate forming the flat blank into the three-dimensional
container in the forming tool,
and the score lines 30 help prevent or reduce buckling of the lamination
layer. The score lines 19
allow formation of the marginal portion 15 of the blank 3 into the side wall
137 and flange 7 of
the container 5. The container 5 could be otherwise formed and/or could be
formed by any
suitable forming tool or forming tools without departing from the disclosure.
The forming tool T
shown schematically in Figs. 5A and 5B is included by way of example only.
[0036] Fig. 6
is a view of an interior surface 412 of a blank 403 for forming a container
405
(Figs. 7-9) according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second
embodiment is
generally similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and
variations that will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or
identical features of the
embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in
Fig. 6, the blank
403 is generally rectangular with two side regions 421 and two end regions
425. The blank 403
8
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
has a central portion 411, an outer edge 413, a marginal portion 415, and a
bottom corner area
409. A plurality of score lines 419 are positioned in the marginal portion 415
in respective
curved corners 427 for forming pleats 431 (Fig. 7). A plurality of score lines
430 in the corner
area 409 can be generally similar to the score lines 30 of the previous
embodiment. The score
lines 430 include generally straight side score lines 433 and end score lines
437. As shown in
Fig. 6, the foil of the lamination layer 408 is disposed in a particular
pattern 418. Alternatively,
the foil can be distributed in any suitable pattern in the lamination layer,
could be evenly
distributed in the lamination layer, or could be omitted. As shown in Figs. 7-
9, the container 405
includes a generally raised bottom wall 533, a bottom corner 535 with the
plurality of scores 430,
a side wall 537, and a flange 407. The container 405 also includes generally
straight side regions
421, generally straight end regions 425, and curved corners 438. The blank 403
and/or the
container 405 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without
departing from the
disclosure.
[0037] Any of
the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined
with,
replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments
of the disclosure
without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0038]
Optionally, one or more portions of the blank or other constructs described
herein or
contemplated hereby may be coated with varnish, clay, or other materials,
either alone or in
combination. The coating may then be printed over with product advertising or
other information
or images. The blanks or other constructs also may be selectively coated
and/or printed so that
less than the entire surface area of the blank or substantially the entire
surface area of the blank
may be coated and/or printed.
[0039]
Further, the containers 5, 405 may cooperate with a lid (not shown) for
holding, heating,
and/or cooking a food product or other item that is held in the container
without departing from
the disclosure.
[0040] Any of
the blanks, containers, or other constructs of this disclosure may optionally
include one or more features that alter the effect of microwave energy during
the heating or
cooking of a food item that is associated with the tray or other construct.
For example, the blank,
tray, container, or other construct may be formed at least partially from one
or more microwave
energy interactive elements (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "microwave
interactive
elements") that promote heating, browning and/or crisping of a particular area
of the food item,
shield a particular area of the food item from microwave energy to prevent
overcooking thereof,
9
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
or transmit microwave energy towards or away from a particular area of the
food item. Each
microwave interactive element comprises one or more microwave energy
interactive materials or
segments arranged in a particular configuration to absorb microwave energy,
transmit microwave
energy, reflect microwave energy, or direct microwave energy, as needed or
desired for a
particular construct and food item.
100411 In the
case of a susceptor or shield, the microwave energy interactive material may
comprise an electroconductive or semiconductive material, for example, a
vacuum deposited
metal or metal alloy, or a metallic ink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a
metallic paste, an
organic paste, an inorganic paste, or any combination thereof. Examples of
metals and metal
alloys that may be suitable include, but are not limited to, aluminum,
chromium, copper, inconel
alloys (nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with niobium), iron, magnesium,
nickel, stainless
steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, and any combination or alloy thereof.
[0042]
Alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a metal
oxide, for
example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin, optionally used in conjunction
with an electrically
conductive material. Another metal oxide that may be suitable is indium tin
oxide (ITO). ITO
has a more uniform crystal structure and, therefore, is clear at most coating
thicknesses.
[0043]
Alternatively still, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a
suitable
electroconductive, semiconductive, or non-conductive artificial dielectric or
ferroelectric.
Artificial dielectrics comprise conductive, subdivided material in a polymeric
or other suitable
matrix or binder, and may include flakes of an electroconductive metal, for
example, aluminum.
[0044] In
other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive material may be carbon-
based,
for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,943,456, 5,002,826, 5,118,747,
and 5,410,135.
[0045] In
still other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive material may
interact with
the magnetic portion of the electromagnetic energy in the microwave oven.
Correctly chosen
materials of this type can self-limit based on the loss of interaction when
the Curie temperature of
the material is reached. An example of such an interactive coating is
described in U.S. Patent
No. 4,283,427.
100461 The
use of other microwave energy interactive elements is also contemplated. In
one
example, the microwave energy interactive element may comprise a foil or high
optical density
evaporated material having a thickness sufficient to reflect a substantial
portion of impinging
CA 2884666 2017-03-22
=
microwave energy. Such elements typically are formed from a conductive,
reflective metal or
metal alloy, for example, aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, in the form of
a solid "patch"
generally having a thickness of from about 0.000285 inches to about 0.005
inches, for example,
from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.003 inches. Other such elements may have a
thickness of
from about 0.00035 inches to about 0.002 inches, for example, 0.0016 inches.
[0047] In some cases, microwave energy reflecting (or reflective) elements
may be used as
shielding elements where the food item is prone to scorching or drying out
during heating. In
other cases, smaller microwave energy reflecting elements may be used to
diffuse or lessen the
intensity of microwave energy. One example of a material utilizing such
microwave energy
reflecting elements is commercially available from Graphic Packaging
International, Inc.
(Marietta, GA) under the trade name MicroRite packaging material. In other
examples, a
plurality of microwave energy reflecting elements may be arranged to form a
microwave energy
distributing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas of the food
item. If desired, the
loops may be of a length that causes microwave energy to resonate, thereby
enhancing the
distribution effect. Microwave energy distributing elements are described in
U.S. Patent Nos.
6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and 6,677,563.
[0048] If desired, any of the numerous microwave energy interactive
elements described herein
or contemplated hereby may be substantially continuous, that is, without
substantial breaks or
interruptions, or may be discontinuous, for example, by including one or more
breaks or
apertures that transmit microwave energy. The breaks or apertures may extend
through the entire
structure, or only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size, and
positioning of such
breaks or apertures may vary for a particular application depending on the
type of construct being
formed, the food item to be heated therein or thereon, the desired degree of
heating, browning,
and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to microwave energy is needed or
desired to attain
uniform heating of the food item, the need for regulating the change in
temperature of the food
item through direct heating, and whether and to what extent there is a need
for venting.
[0049] By way of illustration, a microwave energy interactive element may
include one or more
transparent areas to effect dielectric heating of thc food item. However,
where the microwave
energy interactive element comprises a susceptor, such apertures decrease the
total microwave
energy interactive area, and therefore, decrease the amount of microwave
energy interactive
material available for heating, browning, and/or crisping the surface of the
food item. Thus, the
relative amounts of microwave energy interactive areas and microwave energy
transparent areas
may be balanced to attain the desired overall heating characteristics for the
particular food item.
11
CA 2884666 2017-03-22
[0050] As another example, one or more portions of a susceptor may be
designed to be
microwave energy inactive to ensure that the microwave energy is focused
efficiently on the
areas to be heated, browned, and/or crisped, rather than being lost to
portions of the food item not
intended to be browned and/or crisped or to the heating environment.
Additionally or
alternatively, it may be beneficial to create one or more discontinuities or
inactive regions to
prevent overheating or charring of the food item and/or the construct
including the susceptor.
[0051] As still another example, a susceptor may incorporate one or more
"fuse" elements that
limit the propagation of cracks in the susceptor, and thereby control
overheating, in areas of the
susceptor where heat transfer to the food is low and the susceptor might tend
to become too hot.
The size and shape of the fuses may be varied as needed. Examples of
susceptors including such
fuses are provided, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,412,187, U.S. Patent No.
5,530,231, U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0035634A1, published February 14,
2008, and PCT
Application Publication No. WO 2007/127371, published November 8, 2007.
[0052] All dimensional information presented herein is intended to be
illustrative of certain
aspects, features, etc., of various embodiments of the disclosure, and is not
intended to limit the
scope of the disclosure. The dimensions of the blanks, containers, forming
tools, features, or any
other dimension, can be more or less than what is shown and described in this
disclosure without
departing from the scope of this disclosure and can be within the listed
ranges of dimensions for
each feature or outside the listed ranges of dimensions for each feature
without departing from
the scope of this disclosure.
[0053] The blanks according to the present invention can be, for example,
formed from coated
paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior
sides of the blanks
can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over
with product,
advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may
then be coated with
a varnish to protect any information printed on the blanks. The blanks may
also be coated with,
for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
12
CA 02884666 2015-03-11
WO 2014/062779
PCT/US2013/065198
[0054] In
accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of
paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary
paper. The blanks can
also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any
other material
having properties suitable for enabling the carton package to function at
least generally as
described above.
[0055] The
foregoing description illustrates and describes various embodiments of the
present
disclosure. As various changes could be made in the above construction without
departing from
the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the
above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and
not in a limiting
sense.
Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications,
combinations, and alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments.
Additionally, the
disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other
combinations,
modifications, and environments are contemplated and are within the scope of
the inventive
concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or
within the skill or
knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and
characteristics of each
embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated
and non-illustrated
embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
13
